{"id":91958,"date":"2026-09-28T16:37:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T06:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=91958"},"modified":"2026-09-28T16:37:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T06:37:07","slug":"from-the-couch-nrl-prelim-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/09\/from-the-couch-nrl-prelim-finals\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Couch: NRL Prelim Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Who Should Win The 2026 Dally Ms: <\/strong>The players who should win the Dally M awards this year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NRL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dally M Medal: Nathan Cleary (Pen)
Rookie: Francis Manuleleua (New)
Captain: Cameron Murray (Sou)
Coach: Justin Holbrook (New)
Fullback: James Tedesco (Roo)
Wings: Selwyn Cobbo (Dol) and Tom Jenkins (Pen)
Centres: Herbie Farnworth (Dol) and Robert Toia (Roo)
Five-Eighth: Braydon Trindall (Cro)
Halfback: Nathan Cleary (Pen)
Props: Naufahu Whyte (Roo) and James Fisher-Harris (NZ)
Hooker: Wayde Egan (NZ)
Second Rowers: Haumole Olakau\u2019atu (Man) and Heilum Luki (NQ)
Lock: Erin Clark (NZ)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NRLW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dally M Medal: Tarryn Aiken (Roo)
Rookie: Teagan Levi (GC)
Captain: Tamika Upton (Bri)
Coach: Craig Sandercock (Tig)
Fullback: Tamika Upton (Bri)
Wings: Elise Simpson (Can) and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (New)
Centres: Jess Sergis (Roo) and Stacey Waaka (NZ)
Five-Eighth: Teagan Levi (GC)
Halfback: Tarryn Aiken (Roo)
Props: Otessa Pule (Roo) and Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Bri)
Hooker: Keeley Nizza (Roo)
Second Rowers: Evania Pelite (GC) and Lauren Dam (Bri)
Lock: Olivia Kernick (Roo)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Dark Way for the Season to End: <\/strong>When it comes to gruesome injuries on a Rugby League field, Nathan Cleary\u2019s compound leg fracture will go down as one of the worst. It was a horrific injury that players like Jharal Yow Yeh have never returned from. In all the hoopla around the Grand Final and Penrith\u2019s shock loss, a moment should be taken for an exceptional player in a very dark place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crossland Should Not Have Been Dismissed:<\/strong> Phoenix Crossland should not have been sent off for his hip drop tackle on Nathan Cleary – though one can\u2019t be too critical of Gerard Sutton for doing so as the NRL have created a ridiculous situation where penalties are determined by injury severity and not action. The hip drop is an insidious tackle that should be banned. There should also be pretty clear guidelines about what warrants a sin bin and a send off. There is no standard. There are no guidelines that relate to the actions of a defender. If a player leaves his feet and puts his weight on an opponent\u2019s leg, they should at a minimum be sin binned. If there is a level of slinging then they should be sent. Crossland didn\u2019t really do either though he did put weight on the back of the leg. It is little wonder that players are confused and the scourge has not been eradicated because so many games this year have seen tackles so much worse that have not even been penalised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is Ashley Klein Still Involved? <\/strong>Everyone in Rugby League should be utterly appalled at the decision Ashley Klein – he who was sacked from on-field duties this week for his ridiculous decision-making – made to award Jamayne Isaako a try against the Roosters. There is not a single person with at least one eye and the IQ of a can of paint that would have awarded that a try. The ball touched the line. It didn\u2019t graze the line. It was planted on the line. It was a decision based on unwarranted arrogance and complete incompetence. Klein then doubled down by allowing a Robert Toia try where the ball was passed at least three metres forward – somehow missed by both referee and touch judge in what was remarkable in itself – by allowing the try even though winger Mark Nawaqanitawase had his foot on the touchline. There is an old phrase that we all know: lay with dogs, get fleas. Well when you let brainless gumbies run your video officiating, your game gets infected with a level of stupidity you\u2019ve never seen before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panic at the Disco: <\/strong>The AFL Grand Final was played on the weekend and the most mentioned name in pre-game analysis seemed to be NRL boss Peter V\u2019Landys. Whether it was social media or the ABC radio commentary team, AFL types are clearly panicked by V\u2019Landys and what he has done at the NRL. They seem to be under the impression that a pre-game show is more important than the actual game. Last year\u2019s NRL Grand Final severely outrated the AFL version while the NRL always has four of the most five watched programs yearly – nearly always with no pre-game entertainment or something horrific. Regardless of whether you like V\u2019Landys or not, he has the AFL jumping around like a kangaroo that has stumbled on some marching powder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Sun Also Rises: <\/strong>The season reviews for the so-close yet so-far<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NORTH QUEENSLAND (8th, Elimination Final)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Went Wrong: <\/strong>Scott Drinkwater\u2019s recklessness. The decision to extend Todd Payten with absolutely no market for him created stability but also created a culture of mediocrity. North Queensland\u2019s defence was as shoddy as any finals\u2019 team has ever been including conceding an astonishing 84 points against the Roosters, the third worst defensive performance in premiership history. Discipline was a huge issue with the Cowboys ranking second in penalties conceded and fourth in errors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Went Right:<\/strong> Scott Drinkwater\u2019s brilliance. The Cowboys overcame a heinous first two weeks to put some early wins on the board and did not fall below 10th after Round 5. Jason Taumalolo turned back the years with his best season in many years. Jaxon Purdue and Tom Chester continued to develop in the centres. Tom Mikaele took a leap in his form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediate Outlook: <\/strong>The Cowboys shape as a major regression team next year with a negative points differential and losing a player in Scott Drinkwater that accounted directly for 37 tries. An uninspiring coach does not help the picture get any brighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Needs To Happen:<\/strong> North Queensland need to transition Jaxon Purdue to fullback. He is a brilliant ball runner but he will need to improve his playmaking. The pack is regularly beaten so needs to toughen up. Consistency week to week needs to improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Player:<\/strong> Heilum Luki was fantastic in his return from an ACL injury that kept him out all of 2025, scoring 11 tries and busting 54 tackles while averaging 39 tackles per game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Disappointing Player: <\/strong>John Bateman only managed seven games for the season and did very little when he was on the paddock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOUTH SYDNEY (6th, Elimination Final)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Went Wrong:<\/strong> South Sydney once again could not keep Latrell Mitchell healthy and when he did return he was clearly a long way off his best. The lack of a quality halfback reared its head over and over again. Injuries across the board did not help. The Rabbitohs really struggled against quality opposition going 4-8 against Top 8 teams with one of those wins against a Roosters team resting their first graders. The tragic Jai Arrow news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Went Right: <\/strong>South Sydney\u2019s attack was as good as any in the competition. Their left edge is as potent as any. Tallis Duncan has emerged as a genuine rep star in the making. The Matt Dufty story was a classic Rugby League tale of redemption. The way the club handled the tragic Jai Arrow news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediate Outlook: <\/strong>South Sydney are an ageing team who really have not got the most out of this window and with the loss of Keaon Koloamatangi they are hoping the addition of Payne Haas will keep their title hopes alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Needs To Happen: <\/strong>Getting Latrell Mitchell healthy next season is the top priority while sorting out his future with the club is also high on the agenda. Signing a quality halfback has to be a major consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Player:<\/strong> Cameron Murray is one of the best leaders in the NRL and his floor is so incredibly high that he never lets anyone at the club down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Disappointing Player: <\/strong>Latrell Mitchell is an out-and-out star but once again he was off the field for over half the season in what has become an uncomfortable reality for the Rabbitohs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRONULLA (5th, Semi Final)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Went Wrong:<\/strong> The Sharks built a roster not to lose rather than win so naturally took advantage of a soft draw to make the finals but never really posed a threat. Nicho Hynes struggled again on the big occasions. The Sharks once again struggled against elite opposition. A late-season fade came at the worst possible time. Briton Nikora\u2019s form fell off a cliff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Went Right:<\/strong> Braydon Trindall is an elite half who really assumed leadership of the team. Addin Fonua-Blake found his legs as the season progressed. The wingers finished as well as any tandem in the NRL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediate Outlook: <\/strong>The lack of major roster turnover means 2027 will be much like most other recent years for the Sharks: a Top 8 finish with almost no chance of winning a premiership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Needs To Happen: <\/strong>Craig Fitzgibbon is a fine coach and Nicho Hynes has won a Dally M Medal but until the club move on from both the Sharks are not playing in a Grand Final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Player:<\/strong> Braydon Trindall was the best No.6 across the course of the season and was effective running, kicking and passing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Disappointing Player: <\/strong>Nicho Hynes has never really recovered from his poor treatment at Origin level and his confidence issues have had a huge impact on the Sharks when it comes to the business end of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW ZEALAND (2nd, Semi Final)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Went Wrong: <\/strong>The Warriors enjoyed a stellar season but it all counted for little with a straight sets chokejob in the finals. An even roster across the board had many benefits but it created some poor selection decision-making, particularly late in the year. Injuries were plentiful across the season with the loss of halfback Luke Metcalf, in particular, damaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Went Right: <\/strong>The Warriors primarily took care of business when they needed to. Wahs fever swept New Zealand and has put union well and truly in the box of being a boomer sport. New Zealand showed that they can compete with the best when they laid a beatdown on the Warriors. They showcased their depth by overcoming a shocking run with injury. Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban and Taine Tuapiki have developed into genuine top graders on the verge of stardom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediate Outlook:<\/strong> Andrew Webster has built something sustainable so the Warriors would be disappointed not to be in the mix again next season. Their defence and points differential are both strong indicators that the Warriors have something real. The big concern is how they handle the departures of key figures Luke Metcalf, Mitch Barnett and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Needs To Happen: <\/strong>Andrew Webster needs to figure a way to overcome the trauma of their straight sets defeat. The club made a decision to move on from Luke Metcalf and now need to hope this season\u2019s brief flurry of form was the rule and not the exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Player: <\/strong>The Warriors had any number of contenders for this honour. Jackson Ford was the star of the first half of the season. Leka Halasima was devastating at time. Erin Clark and James Fisher-Harris were arguably the best at their positions this season. It is hard to go past Wayde Egan though who was the best hooker in the competition this year with his decision-making as good as any rake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Disappointing Player: <\/strong>Ali Leiataua was a real weakness in the centres with his defensive efforts bordering on laughable. Adam Pompey copped the wrath of the fans but Leiataua deserved just as much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Willie M Team of the Week: <\/strong>This week\u2019s team of disappointments and duds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Tom Jenkins (Pen)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Jack Bostock (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Blaize Talagi (Pen)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Selwyn Cobbo (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Jack Cole (Pen)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Isaiya Katoa (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Tom Flegler (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Mitch Kenny (Pen)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Moses Leota (Pen)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Max Plath (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Scott Sorensen (Pen)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Morgan Knowles (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Kurt Donoghoe (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. Ray Stone (Dol)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Luke Garner (Pen)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. Billy Phillips (Pen)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Coach: <\/strong>Kristian Woolf (Dolphins)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Referee Gradings: <\/strong>The officiating gradings for Week 3 of the finals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Adam Gee (D)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Gerard Sutton (C+)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The 2026 Field Goal Update – 23: <\/strong>Sadly the last field goal we have seen in a preliminary final was back in 2017 when Michael Morgan kicked a sealing one-pointer with five minutes remaining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fun Fact #1: <\/strong>This is just the second time since Andrew Johns retired that the Knights have advanced past the opening week of the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fun Fact #2: <\/strong>Per the incomparable Mike Meehall-Wood, Wakefield – home of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats who will play in their first top division decider since 1968 – is the largest settlement in Europe that does not have a professional soccer team, such is their love of Rugby League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fun Fact #3: <\/strong>Anybody who holds a ticket for Newcastle to win the NRL and Wakefield Trinity to win Super League has a 2090-1 ticket running live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rumour Mill:<\/strong> Matt Burton is set to hit the open market and it would not shock if he landed at at the Melbourne Storm. Parramatta, the Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra would all be in the mix too. There is strong speculation that Cody Walker could be squeezed out of South Sydney. It would not shock if he spent a year with Canterbury. The drums concerning a Tom Dearden move to Sydney continue to get louder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Moronic Coaching Decision of the Week: <\/strong>It is impossible to be critical of Ivan Cleary\u2019s decision to play his son Nathan but his two other pre-game changes were incredibly odd. Isaiah Papalii had started 24 games this year and had not come off the bench once. Lindsay Smith was also demoted to the bench. He had started from the bench just once this season. Making such significant changes before the biggest game of the season was very un-Penrith like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Coaching Crosshairs:<\/strong> Keep a strong eye on Dolphins Q-Cup head coach Dave Elliott when it comes to offseason hires of assistant coaches. Elliott won a title with the Dolphins in his first season at the helm – after winning a premiership with Norths at his only year at the helm there back in 2024. He has done a superb job at every stop he has been at and clubs like the Broncos, Titans and Dragons would be well served getting him on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Watch It:<\/strong> A quarter-century is a long time. It was also the last time the Newcastle Knights won a preliminary final – something the Sydney Roosters have done eight times since then. That day Immortal Andrew Johns led a team that featured a backline that all played Origin football with the exception of Sean Rudder and a pack that included four internationals. Watch that fantastic Knights side march to the 2001 decider against the Sharks here. https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=C7FAaC5Jxio<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Who Should Win The 2026 Dally Ms: The players who should win the Dally M awards this year: NRL Dally M Medal: Nathan Cleary (Pen)Rookie: Francis Manuleleua (New)Captain: Cameron Murray (Sou)Coach: Justin Holbrook (New)Fullback: James Tedesco (Roo)Wings: Selwyn Cobbo (Dol) and Tom Jenkins (Pen)Centres: Herbie Farnworth (Dol) and Robert Toia (Roo)Five-Eighth: Braydon Trindall (Cro)Halfback: Nathan Cleary (Pen)Props: Naufahu Whyte (Roo) and James Fisher-Harris (NZ)Hooker: Wayde Egan (NZ)Second Rowers: Haumole Olakau\u2019atu (Man) and Heilum Luki (NQ)Lock: Erin Clark (NZ) NRLW Dally M Medal: Tarryn Aiken (Roo)Rookie: Teagan Levi (GC)Captain: Tamika Upton (Bri)Coach: Craig Sandercock (Tig)Fullback: Tamika Upton (Bri)Wings: Elise Simpson (Can)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":91959,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-91958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugby-league"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"28\/09\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91958"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91960,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91958\/revisions\/91960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91958"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=91958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}